Tenants at Hamilton’s McQuesten Lofts are home just in time for Christmas

The first of 50 tenants have moved into the Indwell McQuesten Lofts at 256 Parkdale Ave. N. in time for Christmas.

Home for the holidays' looks very different for all of us this year," says Rachel Courey, Indwell's program manager at Parkdale Landing and McQuesten Lofts.

Thankfully, for tenants moving into our newly opened building, we know that coming home will mean affordable rent, better access to support and community, and space to call their own - for some, for the very first time. Despite the lockdown, we are welcoming residents of McQuesten Lofts home this week and in the weeks to come."

The rest of the tenants will begin moving into the four-storey building one day after the new year.

Ten of the units are barrier-free for those with special needs, such as space under the kitchen counter for a wheelchair and walk-in shower.

In addition to on-site services and supports, McQuesten Lofts boasts community spaces, and will be the future home to Hamilton Public Library's newest branch.

It is the second building for Indwell at the corner of Melvin and Parkdale.

McQuesten Lofts is the third Indwell building in Hamilton built to the rigorous and highly energy efficient Passive House standard. Parkdale Landing, a conversion of the old George and Mary's Banquet Hall, is home to 57 tenants.

In September, 45 tenants moved into North End Landing, owned by James North Baptist Church and operated by Indwell. As well as drastically reducing impact on the environment, the Passive House design will lower the tenants' heating and cooling bills.

Twenty per cent of the units will be designated for people of Indigenous heritage.

Indwell is a Hamilton-based charity that creates community-based multi-unit residential affordable housing. Its programs support more than 650 households in Hamilton, Woodstock, Simcoe, and London.

John Rennison is a Hamilton-based photojournalist at The Spectator. Reach him via email: jrennison@thespec.com